Building Business News
Volume Volume 17 18 •• NO.7 NO.11
December 2013 November July2012. 2011
www.kchba.org
The Official Newspaper of The Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City
The HBA to Host “2014 Opportunity Forecast” on December 17
HBA Welcomes New Board President Chris Ragland The HBA Inaugural Celebration, December 4, will welcome 2014 President Chris Ragland as the HBA’s 69th Board leader and she is prepared to take the helm after more than ten years in home building. “For the past decade we have had good times, uncertain times, cautious times and now improving times for the building industry and association,” said Chris. “All the while our HBA has continued its good work in governmental affairs, educational programs, market information to our members, and networking between builders and associates during these trying times.” Chris brings a wealth of experience to this leadership role starting with being
the co-owner of Homes by Chris, LLC based in Liberty, Missouri that she started with her husband, Roy, in 2003. Prior to becoming a home builder, Chris worked professionally in business promotions and public relations for Sealright Packaging and in scientific communications for Aventis Pharmaceuticals. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri, Columbia with a degree in economics and earned a master’s degree in business administration from Rockhurst University. She has put all these proficiencies together to become an award winning home builder having participated in the Parade of Homes contests and winning 30 out of 33 entries. Continued on page 5
Chris Ragland
HBA’s Government Affairs Webpage Gets a Makeover The HBA’s government affairs webpage was redesigned to serve as HBA members’ one-stop site for local government affairs and advocacy information. The new design will provide easy access to local and national news impacting the housing industry, including changes to state and federal legislation and regulations, building codes and city ordinances, and information about our Political Action Committees (PACs) and upcoming elections. The new government affairs webpage also includes a new Legislative Action Center where members can identify and find contact information for their elected officials at the federal and PRSTRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 108 Lawrence, Ks
state level and find helpful resources, such as links to our state legislative bodies and
federal and local agencies. The redesign of the government affairs webpage was completed in anticipation of the upcoming legislative sessions in Kansas and Missouri. HBA’s Government Affairs Committee members expect a busy legislative session and believe the new webpage will make it easier to find information about legislation that could significantly impact the industry. Beatriz Ibarra, Vice President of Government Affairs, said “the website is a key tool for continuing to build the HBA’s grass roots advocacy effort and to make it easy for members to get involved in government affairs.”
The HBA will host the “2014 Opportunity Forecast: Permits, Lots and Lending” on Tuesday, December 17 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the HBA. The event will showcase a panel of speakers including; Dan Whitney, President, Landmarketing, Frank Lenk, Director of Research Services, Mid-America Regional Council, and Richard Holtcamp with Bank of Blue Valley. The purpose of the event is for attendees to come away with a deeper understanding of the local housing market and land development opportunities, demographic and structural challenges in the Kansas City metropolitan area, and what bankers are looking for and where lending challenges remain. The timing for the event is also important as members prepare for the new year and Spring Parade of Homes. For more information about the event, please contact Beatriz Ibarra at bibarra@kchba.org.
Inside this Edition
2014 Leadership Next Generation Builders
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